Tube forming machine construction



Aug. 28, 1962 J. c. BAXTER ETAL TUBE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1959 M an V WK J Q 8 mm h x m m mm mm NPM QN MQ a a Vm a mid ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1962 Filed March 10, 1959 J. C.BAXTER ETAL TUBE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets$heet 2.

INVENTORS Jam iBawkerw Ray Gawizzgr 12 /zewi w ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1962.1. c. BAXTER ETAL 3, 6

TUBE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 10, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORS JwmasLZBaacZerw Rwy (ion/tug '3:

ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1962 J- C. BAXTER ETAL TUBE FORMING MACHINECONSTRUCTION Filed March 10, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS JamesaBaocfierw Rwy lo g ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1962 J. c. BAXTER ETAL TUBEFORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 10, 1959ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,051,061 Patented Aug. 28, 19623,051,061 TUBE FORMING MAtZHlNE CONSTRUCTION James C. Baxter, Minerva,and Raymond A. (lowing, Canton, Ohio; said Gowing assignor to saidBaxter Filed FVIQI- 10, 1959, Ser. No. 798,385 7 Claims. (Cl. 9380) Ourinvention relates to improvements in tube forming machine constructionpreferably of the type used for spirally Winding paper tubes and thelike. More specifically our invention relates to a tube forming machineof this type having a unique cutoff device thereon for automaticallycutting off continuously formed tubing into predetermined exact lengths.

Various forms of cutoff devices have been provided previously on tubeforming machines, all of which. have had certain disadvantages,particularly when certain types of tubing are formed such as, forinstance, relatively large diameter, thin Walled tubing. Thus, theseprior cutoff devices have lacked the versatility necessary to cover theentire field of tube forming and have required the provision ofadditional time consuming operations and expensive equipment in orderthat all types of tubing may be produced.

The basic construction of tube forming machine has included a stationarymandrel around which is wound a series of partially overlapped, flat,continuous strips of material such as paper. These strips of paper arespirally or helically wound on the stationary mandrel by means or" acontinuous helically wrapped rotating belt which surrounds theoverlapped paper strips and stationary mandrel so as to continuouslyhelically wrap the strips around the mandrel and at the same timeprogressively move the thusly formed paper tubing longitudinally alongand off a free end of the mandrel.

An important factor to be considered in providing the necessary cutoffdevice for these tube forming machines is that the tubing is beingspirally or helically Wound so that it is not only moving longitudinallywith reference to the stationary mandrel, but is also continuouslyrotating around the stationary mandrel. Thus, it is difficult toaccurately cut off the tubing since the cutoff means, such as cutoffknives, must move longitudinally with the tubing at precisely the samespeed as the tubing in order to provide an even cut, and at the sametime must be at an exact position in relation to the leading end of thetubing, which position is likewise continuously moving longitudinally,in order to provide the proper cutoff length.

One prior form of cutoff device has been mounted on a longitudinallymovable carriage, the movement of such carriage being directly geared toand related to the linear movement of the strips fed to the tube formingmachine and which ultimately make up the helically formed tube. Withsuch a construction, when the linear speedof the strips is increased,the speed of longitudinal movement of the cutoff carriage is increased,to thereby attempt to relate the speed of the cutoff carriage to thespeed of longitudinal travel of the tubing as it is being formed.

The principal difficulty with this form of prior device is that thespeed of longitudinal travel of the tubing as it is being formed is notdirectly related to the linear speed of the strips forming the tubing,since other variables are involved. For instance, variations in theamount of overlap in the various strips will cause the longitudinalspeed of the tubing to change, even though the linear speed of thestrips remains constant, and this with other variables can cause thelengths of tubing being cut off to vary a considerable amount.

Another prior form of cutofi device used in combination with tubeforming machines has .included cutoff knives mounted on a longitudinallymovable carriage and being directly connected to a paddle on targetwhich normally lies in the path of the leading end of the tubing. Withsuch a device, the leading end of the tubing strikes the paddle,carrying the paddle and its connected cutoff carriage and knives withthe tubing until the knives have severed the tubing, at which time thepaddle is released from the tubing and the cutoff device carriagereturns to its starting position.

With this construction, of course, the leading end of the tubing mustleave the stationary mandrel before it strikes the paddle which suppliesmovement to the cutoff carriage and knives. For this reason, in theforming of tubing having a relatively large diameter and thin Walls, therigidity of the tubing is insufficient to properly move the paddlewithout at least at times crumpling and kink.- ing the tubing providinginaccurate cutoff lengths, scrap pieces and many interruptions in theforming process.

Another factor is that any slight roughness or burr at the leading endof the tubing will cause inaccuracies in the cutoff length since, ofcourse, the paddle abuts against this leading end to establish thereference point. Thus, with all of these prior cutoff devices, it hasbeen necessary to first cut the tubing to a rough length and then in afurther operation to recut the tubing to its exact desired length.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide atube forming machine cutoff device which solves the foregoing problemsand eliminates the stated disadvantages.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a tubeforming machine cutoff device which first establishes a predeterminedand exact relationship with the longitudinally moving and rotatingtubing, and from such relationship severs the tubing to an exactpredetermined length.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube formingmachine cutoff device which circumferentially grips the tubing while thetubing continues to move longitudinally and rotatably, to therebyestablish a predetermined and exact relationshipv between the cutters ofthe cutoff device and the tubing, so that the cutters may then sever thetubing in a predetermined and exact length. 1

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tubeforming machine cutoff device which circumferentially grips the tubingand thereby exactly moves the cutters of such cutoff device with theprecise movement of the tubing, with this gripping means, althoughmaintaining circumferential engagement with the axially moving androtating tubing, not restricting or hindering such movement of thetubing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tubeforming machine cutoflf device which preferably circumferentially gripsthe tubing at a portion of the tubing which is located still surroundinga portion of the stationary mandrel on the tube forming machine, so thateven though tubing having a very thin Wall is being wound, the wall willbe prevented from collapsing due to the support of the internalstationary mandrel.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a tubeforming machine cutoff device in which the cutters are preferablymounted rotatable on centers which reciprocate radially toward and awayfrom diametrically opposite sides of the longitudinally and rotatablymoving tubing, and the cutters sever the tubing against stationaryhardened inserts on the stationary internal mandrel.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a tubeforming machine cutoff device in which preferably electronic means isused for sighting the progressively moving leading end of the tubing ata predetermined point, for causing gripping means to engage the tubingto thereby establish the desired constant relation- 3 ship between thelongitudinally and rotatably moving tubing and the cutters of the cutoffdevice.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tubeforming machine cutoff device which accomplishes all of the aboveobjects in a relatively simple and efficient manner and at a minimumcost.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising the presentinvention, the nature of which is set forth in the following generalstatement, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best modeof which applicants have contemplated applying the principles-is setforth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and setforth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the improvements comprising the present inventionincludea unique tube cutoff device or mechanism preferably incombination with a tube forming machine which forms a continuous lengthof tubing. The tube forming machine may include a stationary mandrel,strip supply means for supplying partially overlapped strips to themandrel, and helical winding means for winding the strips helicallyaround the mandrel to form preferably continuously longitudinally androtatably moving tubing.

In broad terms, the cutoff device may include means forcircumferentially gripping the longitudinally and rotatably movingtubing, without restricting said longitudinal and rotatable movement, inorder to establish an exact reference point on the tubing despite itsmotion. Further, the cutoff device includes severing means operablyconnected to and movable with the gripping means for cutting off thetubing at an exact predetermined location while the tubing continues tomove. The primary movement of the gripping and severing means with thetubing and in exact relationship to the tubing may be accomplished byindependent motivation so that the power for moving this gripping andsevering means is not taken entirely from the tubing, but the grippingmeans will still retain the exact and direct relationship of movementbetween the tubing and the gripping and severing means.

More specifically, the gripping means may include clutch meanscircumferentially surrounding the tubing and mandrel, with this clutchmeans being longitudinally movably mounted on carriage means. Alsomounted on this same carriage means is the severing means preferably inthe form of a cutoff knife mechanism. Finally, the operation of thegripping means and severing means is correlated preferably through afluid power system and electrical circuit with electronic sightingmeans, which sighting means is responsive to a sighting at the leadingend of the tubing for operating the gripping means and severing means toestablish the exact length of tubing to be cut off in each severingoperation.

By way of example, an embodiment of the tube forming machineconstruction of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate similarparts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a tube forming machine in combination withthe cutoff mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2, a side elevation of the tube forming machine and cutoff deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, an end view, part in section, looking in the 6 in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 9-9 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 10-10 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 11-11 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12, a fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation, looking in thedirection of the arrows 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13, an enlarged end view, with parts broken away and parts insection, of the clutch mechanism forming the gripping device in thecutoff mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 14, a vertical fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15, a fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation, looking in thedirection of the arrows 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16, a view similar to FIG. 15, but showing the clutch mechanism inengaged position;

FIG. 17, a fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation, looking in thedirection of the arrows 17-17 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18, a sectional view, part in elevation, looking in the directionof the arrows 1'8-18 in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 19, a perspective view showing a guide mem ber removed from theclutch mechanism of FIGS. 13 through 18.

The tube forming machine construction comprising the present inventionmay include a conventional tube forming machine, generally indicated at20, having only slight modifications and having a particular cutoffdevice or mechanism 21 attached thereto and used in combinationtherewith. Although the cutoff mechanism of the present invention isshown in combination with this conventional tube forming machine, itshould be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of thepresent invention to the combination of the unique cutoff mechanism witha tube forming machine, but rather the principles of this cutoffmechanism may be used advantageously otherwise for cutting off materialto exact length which is moving longitudinally or axially, while thematerial remains in such movement.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the tube forming machine 20 includes athree-dimensional base member 22 having a mandrel mounting member 23secured to the top surface 24 thereof and at one end. The stationarypreferably hollow cylindrical mandrel 25 is mounted on the member 23 incantilever fashion, extending over and slightly beyond the length ofbase member 22 and spaced upwardly from the top surface 24 by means of apair of clamp members 26.

Also secured to the top surface 24 of base member 22 is a spiral orhelical winding mechanism 27 which is mounted approximately midway ofthe length of base member 22 and extends upwardly adjacent the sides ofmandrel 25. Winding mechanism 27 is provided with a pair of rotatabledrums 28, one being journalled at either side of mandrel 25 with theaxes thereof extending vertically and being connected through usualpower transmission means 29, such as gears and the like, to an electricmotor 30 mounted beneath the base member 22.

Still further, at least one of the drums 28 is also mounted so that itsaxis is movable toward and away from the side of mandrel 25 by any usualmeans such as the fluid cylinder 31, so that an endless flat belt 32 maybe mounted extending around the drums 28 and also around the mandrel 25.Belt 32 is mounted with a double spiral or helical wrap around themandrel 25 and upon rotation of the drums 28 moves endlessly around themandrel in this spiral or helical fashion, always tending to move towardthe free end 33 of mandrel 25 but actually remaining at one positionlongitudinally with reference to the mandrel and drums.

Finally, the tube forming machine 20 is provided with the strip supplymeans 34 including the strip guides 35 which may be any number, but inthis case guide the four generally flat strips 36 in partiallyoverlapped positions to the mandrel 25 for forming the spirally orhelically wound tubing 37. Strips 36 could be of any material from whichit is desired to form the tubing 37, but usually are of paper and arefed from supply rolls, not shown. Furthermore, the strips 36 forming theouter layers of the tubing 37 are directed through glue pots forapplying glue to the inner sides thereof, while the innermost strip ispreferably waxed, so that tubing 37 slides freely along the mandrel 25as it is being formed and toward the cutofi mechanism 21.

Thus, to begin operation of the tube forming machine 20, the strips 36are pulled from the strip supply means 34 and wrapped helically aroundthe mandrel 25, as shown, with these strips being wrapped longitudinallyalong the mandrel to and beneath the fiat belt 32, that is, between theinner surface of the flat belt and the outer surface of the mandrel.Then by rotating flat belt '32 through drums 28, power transmissionmeans 29 and motor 30, the strips 36 are continuously helically woundaround the mandrel 25 by the flat belt 32 to form the tubing 37, whichtubing moves continuously axially or longitudinally along the mandreland off the free end 33 thereof. As previously stated, this tube formingmachine 20, to the extent thus far described, is conventional and doesnot form a part of the present invention except in the particularcombination hereinafter described and claimed.

The cutoff device 21, referring first to FIGS. 1 through 5, includesgripping means generally indicated at 38, severing means generallyindicated at 39, and sighting or indicating means generally indicated at40, all operably connected to the tube forming machine 20 forcontinuously cutting olf to predetermined exact lengths the tubing 37being continuously formed on the tube forming machine. Further, thiscutofi device 21 is mounted on the top surface 24 of the base member 22at the end thereof opposite the mandrel mounting member 23, underlying aportion of mandrel 25 including the free end 33 thereof and extendinglongitudinally outwardly from the base member and mandrel.

A cutofi device mounting member 41 is clamped to the base member tophorizontal surface 24 by means of the clamp members 42 and extendslongitudinally outwardly beneath the mandrel free end 33 and away frombase member 22, with this mounting member supporting the spacedlongitudinally extending guides 43. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,guides 43 are secured at one end to the mounting member 41 and extendlongitudinally away from the base member 22, being secured at'a locationspaced longitudinally from the base member to -a vertically extendingsupporting stand 44.

Gripping means 38, severing means 39, and sighting or indicating means40' are all operably mounted on a cutoff device carriage 45, whichcarriage is longitudinally slidably mounted on the guides 43 by means oflongitudinally spaced pairs of laterally spaced bearing slides 46. Also,a gear motor '47 is mounted on carriage 45 extending verticallydownwardly between the guides 43, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, havinga gear 48 mounted thereon to be driven by this motor and engaged with arack 49 mounted on and beneath the left-hand guide 43, as viewed in FIG.3. 4

Thus, the entire cutolf device carriage 45' is mounted slidablelongitudinally with reference to the mandrel 25 and may be moved fromits operating position, shown in the drawings, to a position completelylongitudinally removed from mandrel 25 by means of the gear motor 47,gear 48 and rack 49, such motor being an electric motor and having theusual electrical controls. With this construction, the tube formingmachine 2 0 may be initially set up and initially operated with theworking portions of the cutoff device 21 removed longitudinally from themandrel 25, until all necessary adjustments for proper tube forming havebeen made, after which, by operation of the gear motor 47, the workingparts of the cutolf device may be then moved into their workingposition, as shown in the drawings, with the gripping means 38surrounding the mandrel and the severing means 39 adjacent the free endof the mandrel.

A second pair of spaced longitudinally extending gripping and severingmeans guides 50 are mounted on the carriage at the left-hand portionthereof, as viewed in FIG. 2, underlying a portion of mandrel 25 and thefree end 33 thereof, with guides longitudinally slidably mounting thegripping and severing means 38 and 39 in the form of a gripping clutch51 and the cutoif knives 52. Clutch 51 and knives 52 are both slidablymounted on the guides 50 on a common pair of bearing slides 53, so thatthe clutch and knives have a preset and immovable relationship with eachother and move in unison maintaining such relationship longitudinallyalong the guides 50.

As best shown in FIGS. 7, l0 and 12, the clutch 51 is generally hollowcylindrical in configuration and normally surrounds the mandrel 25.Further, clutch 51 is mounted on the bearing slides 53 by means of thevertically slotted lugs 54 which extend vertically upwardly from slides53 and are slidably received in the generally U-shaped cross sectionmounting bars 55 secured to the side portions of clutch 51. Stillfurther, bolts 56 are received loosely through the preferably upwardlyopening slots 57 of lugs 54 and are secured in the mounting bars 55 toretain lugs 54 Within the U-shaped recesses 58 of bars 55.

As viewed in FIG. 12, the longitudinal widths of the lugs 54 are ameasured amount less than, the longitudinal widths of the U-shapedrecesses 58 in bars 55, so that clutch 51 may pivot slightly from anexact vertically extending position around the bolts 56, but with thispivotal movement being limited to a relatively slight amount asdetermined by the respective longitudinal widths of lugs 54 and the barrecesses 58. Thus, clutch 51 is mounted for self-alignment when it isactuated to an engaged position surrounding mandrel 25 and tubing 37.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, a vertically extending plate member 59is also mounted on the bearing slides 53 spaced to the right of clutch51, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, whichplate member extends between theslides 53 and laterally outwardly beyond these slides. Further, platemember 59 is provided with a generally U-shaped clearance opening 6t)for providing clearance between this plate member, and the mandrel 25and any tubing 37 thereon.

Preferably at opposite locations on plate member 59 aligned withdiametrically opposite points on the mandrel 25 are mounted similarguide tracks 61 for reciprocally mounting the rotatable cutoff knives52. Cutolf knives 52 are mounted on guide tracks 61 by means of theguide blocks 62 received between these guide tracks. Further, the guideblocks 62 are retained reciprocally mounted in the guide tracks 61 bymeans of the vertical flanges 63, shown in cross section in FIG. 12,with these guide blocks being connected through pivotal linkages to thefluid cylinders 64.

A first pivot link 65 is pivotally connected to each of the blocks 62with this pivot link being in turn pivotally connected to a second pivotlink 66 intermediate the length of this second pivot link. One end ofthe second pivot link 66 is pivotally connected to one of the guidetracks 61, with the other end thereof being pivotally connected to thepiston rod of the fluid cylinders 64.

Thus, with this construction as described, by actuation of the fluidcylinders 64, the lower ends of the pivot links 66 are moved laterallyinwardly toward the mandrel 25, thereby sliding the cutoff knives 52laterally inwardly, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Finally, a second plate member 67 is secured to the bearing slides 53underlying the clutch 51 and extending downwardly and beneath theclutch, and this plate member 67 is braced with plate member 59 by meansof the longitudinally extending bracing bars 68. As shown in FIGS. 7 and10, plate member 67 is provided with limited clearance beneath clutch51, and secured laterally midway of this plate member is the end of thepiston rod 69 of the fluid booster cylinder 79.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the booster cylinder 7% is mountedsecured to the cutoff device carriage 45 by means of the L-shapedbracket 71 and normally underlying the mandrel 25. With the operableconnection of cylinder 70 through its piston rod 69 to the plate member67 and consequently to the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52, this cylinderserves to at least aid in moving the clutch and cutoff kniveslongitudinally along the guides 50, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed in detail.

The gripping clutch 51 is shown in FIGS. 13 through 19 removed from theremainder of the cutoff device 21 of the present invention. As shown invertical cross section in FIG. 14, clutch 51 includes the outer hollowgenerally cylindrical casing 72, the longitudinally spaced generallyL-shaped cross-section actuating rings 73, the longitudinally spaced camrings 74, the three circumfer-v entially extending arcuate clutch shoes75 and the circumferentially spaced guide members '76.

Casing 72 extends axially or longitudinally having the radially inwardlyextending flange 77 at one end thereof and being completely open at theother end thereof. Further, casing 72 is provided with three equallycircumferentially spaced and circumferentially extending guide memberslots 78 formed therethrough substantially midway lengthwise of theinner surface 79 thereof between the casing flange 77 and the casingopen end for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The actuating rings 73 are positioned axially slidably abutting thecasing inner surface 79, with one abutting the inner side of flange 77and the other at the opposite open end of the casing abutting surface 79and within the confines of the casing. The radially inwardly extendinglegs 80 of the actuating rings 73 are formed each with a generallyL-shaped annular groove 81 opening axially inwardly toward the oppositeactuating ring, so that these grooves are confined axially outwardly bya portion of each of the legs 80.

Cam rings 74 are positioned rotatably slidably received in the actuatingring grooves 81 and extend generally axially inwardly therefrom axiallytoward each other. An annular generally U-shaped groove 82 is formed inthe outer circumferential surface 83 of each of the cam rings 74 withthe axially outer edge thereof in radial alignment with the innerradially extending surface 84 of each of the cam ring radially inwardlyextending legs 80.

Preferably, three equally circumferentially spaced and radiallyextending keys 85 are secured to the inner radially extending surface 84of each of the actuating rings 73 by any usual fastening means, such asthe screws 86, with each of these keys 85 extending into the grooves 82of the cam rings 74. Further, each of the cam rings 74 is provided withan inner annular tapered surface 87, with these tapered surfaces beingof lesser diameters adjacent the actuating ring grooves 81 andincreasing in diameter axially inwardly so that these surfaces havetheir maximum diameter at the innermost edges of rings 74.

The clutch shoes 75- are positioned end to end substantially midwaybetween the cam rings 74 and are provided with axially opposite outerannular tapered surfaces 88 opposite to and matching the cam ringtapered surfaces 87, with each of the clutch shoe tapered surfaces 88partially underlying a portion of one of the cam ring tapered surfaceswhen the clutch 51 is in disengaged position, as shown in PEG. 14. It ispreferred that the cam ring tapered surfaces 87 and clutch shoe taperedsurfaces 88 are all formed with substantially 11 tapers in order toprovide the self-locking features of such tapers when the cam rings '74are axially engaged with the clutch shoes 75, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

Further, each of the clutch shoes 75 is provided with an inner axiallyand circumferentially extending gripping surface 89 which i preferablycoated with a usual thin plastic coating having slightly tacky qualitiesfor gripping, but yet will not adhere to the article gripped, so thatthese shoes will readily release from the article being gripped when theradial inward pressure thereon is released. Still further, a compressionspring 99 is mounted received in the recesses 91 and extending betweenthe ends of each of the clutch shoes 75 for the purpose of urging theshoes circumferentially apart and therefore radially outwardly whenthese shoes are in engaged position with spring compressed and theradial inward force thereon is released. Finally, each of the clutchshoes 75 is formed with a circumferentially extending and radiallyoutwardly extending guide lug 92 substantially midway of the axiallength thereof and radially outwardly of the tapered surfaces 88.

The guide members 76, as shown in crosssection in FIG. 14 and inperspective in FIG. 19, may be formed of one or several pieces, asshown, and include the cover portions 93 and guide portion 94. The coverportion 93 of each of these guide members 76 is formed generally arcuateto conform to the outer periphery 95 of casing 72 and is positionedoverlying the outer periphery of casing 72 covering and slightlyoverlapping the guide member slots 78, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Furthermore, the guide member cover portions 93 are formed with radiallyinwardly extending flanges 96, which flanges abut the open end of casing72, that is, the end opposite the radial flange 77 on the casing, andextend inwardly of the casing to enclose and abut the actuating ring 73positioned at the open end of the casing. Also, these cover portions 93are removably secured to the casing 72 by any usual fastening means,such as the screws 97.

As before stated, the guide portions 94 of these guide members 76 may beformed integral with the cover portions 93, but for convenience inmanufacturing may be formed separately of the cover portions and securedthereto extending radially inwardly into the confines of the casing 72through the guide member slots 78 by means of usual fastening means,such as the screws 93. Guide portions 94 preferably have an axiallyextending width substantially equal with the axial width of the guidemember slots 78 and include a radially inwardly extending guideprojection 99 having an arcuate inner circumferential surface 100 inwhich is formed the arcuate generally U-shaped groove fill. Grooves 101are positioned and of a depth suflicient to enclose at least a portionof the clutch shoe guide lugs 92 despite the radial position of theclutch shoes 75, that is, in engaged position with the springs 94}compressed or in disengaged position, as shown for instance in FIGS. 13and 14.

At diametrically opposite locations, preferably in a horizontal planeand displaced from the guide members 76, the casing 72 is formed withcutouts 102, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17. Further, axially alignedwith each of these cutouts 162 is a fluid cylinder 103 having itscylinder portion attached to the outer radial surface 104 of theactuating ring 73 at the open end of casing 72, with the piston rods 105of cylinders 103 being in turn operably connected to the oppositeactuating ring 73, that is, the actuating ring normally adjacent thecasing radial flange 77.

Thus, with the clutch construction described, the actuating rings 73 areradially slidably confined Within the casing 72 and are axially confinedby the casing radial flange 77 and the guide member radial flanges 96,but are permitted to move slidably toward and away from each otherwithin the confines of casing 72 and guide members 76. Furthermore, inview of the keys 85 secured to the actuating rings 73 and received inthe cam ring grooves 82, upon axial movement of the actuating rings 73,the cam rings 74 will likewise be moved axially toward and away fromeach other while still being per- :mitted to rotate with reference tothe actuating rings 75.

When the clutch 51, therefore, is in its disengaged position, as shownin FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, by actuation of the fluid cylinders 103withdrawing the piston rod 105, the actuating rings 73- are movedslidably together within the casing 72 to approach or reach the positionshown in FIG. 16. Movement of the actuating rings 73 to which the fluidcylinders 103 are attached is not impeded by these fluid cylinders sincethese cylinders are permitted to move into the cutouts 102 in casing 72,again as shown in FIG. 16.

Axially inward movement of the actuating rings 73 causes the taperedsurfaces 87 of the cam rings 74 to engage and slide along the taperedsurfaces 88 of the clutch shoes 75, and since the cam rings 74 cannotexpand radially outwardly because of their stiffness, and because theyare confined by the actuating rings 73, the pressure between the taperedsurfaces 87 and 88 forces the clutch shoes 75 radially inwardly,decreasing the distance between the ends of these shoes and compressingthe springs 90. This, therefore, places the clutch 51 in its engagedposition, as shown in FIG. 16, and if at this point the fluid pressurefrom the fluid cylinders 103 is released without applying a reversepressure to move the piston rods 105 toward an extended position, due tothe locking tapers of the tapered surfaces 87 and 88, the clutch shoes75 will remain in their engaged position, as shown in FIG. 16, that is,of course, as long as the force of the compression springs 90 is keptless than the force required to break these locking tapers and move thevarious sliding components of the clutch axially.

Furthermore, in view of the formation of the actuating rings 73 and camrings 74, and the engagement therebetween by the keys 85 received in thegrooves 82, whether or not the actuating rings 73 are in engaged ordisengaged positions, the cam rings 74 although confined axially arepermitted to rotate with reference to these actuating rings. Finally, asshown in FIG. 16, clutch shoes 75 are also free to rotate at all timeswith cam rings 74 and with reference to the remainder of the clutch,because of the slidable engagement between the clutch shoe guide lugs 92and the guide member grooves 101. At the same time and despite rotationand radial movement, the clutch shoes 75 will always be retained axiallycentered between the actuating rings 73 and cam rings 74 by means ofthis same rotatable and radially movable engagement between these clutchshoes 75 and guide members 76.

For the purposes of the particular illustrated combination comprising apart of the present invention, that is, the use of the clutch 51 in acutofi device 21 on a tube forming machine 20, it is desirable to havethis clutch as light in weight as possible while still beingfunctionally operable and durable in continued use. For this particularapplication, therefore, and for other applications where weight is ofimportance, it is desirable to form the casing 72, cam rings 74, clutchshoes 75 and guide member 76 of a material such as aluminum, but it ispreferable to form the actuating rings 73 of brass or bronze in order toprovide a bearing surface for the slidable movement of these actuatingrings within the casing 72 10 and also. for the rotatable movement ofthe cam rings 74 on these actuating rings.

The sighting or indicating means, generally indicated at 40 and as bestseen in FIGS. 1 through 5, is also mounted on the cutoff device carriage45 and is spaced from the free end 33 of mandrel 25. As shown, thissighting or indicating means includes a base member 106 mounted on thecutoff device carriage 45 and being of any convenient form forsupporting the spaced longitudinally or axially extending guides 107 incantilever fashion extending in a direction away from the mandrel 25.

Operably mounted on the guides 107 are the bearing slides 108, each ofwhich have the longitudinallyv or axially extending mounting bars 109connected thereto and extending toward the mandrel free end 33 to pointsspaced from the mandrel. Finally, mounted on these mounting bars 109 arepositioned the components 110 of preferably a photoelectric cell whichserves as the sighting or indicating means, and these components 110 arespaced apart a distance appreciably greater than the lateral or radialextent of the mandrel 25 and tubing 37 moving axially or longitudinallytherealong, so as not to interfere with this movement of the tubingwhile at the same time sighting or indicating the end of this tubingmoving by these components 110 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed. Also, due to the mounting of these components 110 through thebearing slides 108 on the guides 107, these components may beselectively adjusted axially or longitudinally as desired, also for apurpose to be hereinafter described.

The fluid circuit and electrical circuit for the control of the cutoffdevice 21 comprising a part of the present invention are constructed andOperably connected in a usual manner and in a form well known tomechanics skilled in the art and, therefore, for purposes of brevity arenot shown nor described. The electrical circuit, however, in addition tothe photoelectric cell components 110, as shown for instance in FIG. 4,does include the switches 111 and 112, which are mounted with and at theends of the guides 50 nearest the sighting or indicating means 40, whichswitches are struck and actuated by the switch bar 113 mounted extendinglaterally from the cutofi knife plate member 59, as. shown in FIGS. 8and 11.

This electrical circuit also includes the switch 114 also mounted withone of the gripping and severing means guides 50 at the end of thisguide the greatest distance from the sighting or indicating means 40, asshown for instance in FIGS. 4 and 5, which switch is engaged by theswitch bar 115 secured to and extending laterally from the appropriategripping and severing means hearing slide 53, as shown for instance inFIGS. 7 and 10. The purpose of switches 111, 112 and 114 will bedescribed along with the operation of the entire tube forming machineand cutoff device in the following.

Finally, it is preferred to provide the free end 33- of the mandrel 25with diametrically opposite hardened inserts 116, as best seen inelevation in FIGS. 2 and 6, and in cross section in FIGS. 8 and 11.These hardened inserts 116 are positioned in lateral alignment to beengaged by the cutoff knives 52 when these knives are in proper axialposition, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and when these knives aremoved laterally inwardly to engage against the free end 33 of mandrel 25and tubing 37 moving axially or longitudinally thereon.

In operation, as the tubing 37 is formed on the tube forming machine20,. as hereinbefore described, and progresses axially or longitudinallyalong the length of the mandrel 25, this tubing passes through theclutch 51 of the cutofi device 21 past the cutoff knives 52 and off thefree end 33 of the mandrel, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8. At this time,the clutch 51 and cutofl? knives 52 are at their starting position, asshown in FIG. 4, that is, at the left-hand end of the guides 50 with theclutch in retracted position, the cutoff knives in retracted positionand the switch bar 115 engaged with the switch 114.

As the end of the tubing 37 passes the sighting or indicating path,indicated by broken lines 117, it actuates the photoelectric cellcomponents 110, which in view of the engagement of switch 114 by switchbar 115', as will be hereinafter more fully described, actuates thefluid cylinders 103 causing the clutch shoes 75 to be moved radiallyinwardly to engaged position, as hereinbefore described. These clutchshoes 75 thereby circumferentially engage or grip the periphery of thetubing 37 at a predetermined location, as determined by the axial orlongitudinal adjustment of the photoelectric cell components 110 withreference to the clutch 51.

Also, at this same moment, fluid is directed to the left-hand side ofthe fluid booster cylinder, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 9, so that not onlydoes the gripping of the tubing 37 by the clutch 51 start immediateaxial or longitudinal travel of the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52exactly with the tubing and along the guides 50, but the tubing may berequired to carry none or little of this load because of the actuationof the fluid booster cylinder 70, which is also tending to move theclutch 51 and cutoff knives 52 axially. In fact, it is preferable thatthe fluid booster cylinder 70 exert a force slightly greater than thatforce required to move the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52 with thetubing 37, so that although the clutch 51 establishes a definite andimmovable reference point with relation to the tubing, the only functionrequired by the tubing is to resist overmovement of the clutch andknives.

It further should be pointed out that, although the clutch 51 isgripping the tubing 37 and this tubing is continuing to move axially orlongitudinally along the mandrel 25 carrying the clutch 51 and cutoffknives 52, this tubing is also rotating, since it is being originallyspirally wrapped. Thus, it is preferred after the clutch 51 has beenactuated and the clutch shoes 75 have been moved to their engagedpositions by the cylinders 1413, to release the fluid pressure fromthese cylinders, that is, without directing fluid to disengage theclutch.

Due to the locking taper between the clutch cam rings 74 and shoes 75,these shoes will remain in their engaged position engaged radiallyinwardly with the tubing 37, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but because ofthe release of pressure between the actuating rings 73 and cam rings 74,the cam rings will be more free to rotate with reference to theactuating rings, thereby also permitting the clutch shoes to freelyrotate. Thus, a definite reference point is established on the tubing 37by the clutch 51, and in view of the direct connection between clutch 51and cutoff knives 52 and the fact that the clutch and knives must traveltogether and have a definite and preset relationship, this alsoestablishes a definite reference point on the tubing with regard to thecutoff knives. Further, in view of the photoelectric cell components 110having finst established this direct relationship by actuation of theclutch 51, the cutoff knives are in a predetermined relationship withregard to the leading end of the tubing 37 and will remain in thisrelationship moving with the tubing 37 until the clutch 51 is againreleased.

As the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52 travel exactly axially orlongitudinally with the tubing 37 and preferably immediately after thefluid has been removed from the clutch cylinders 103, the cutoff knifecylinders 64 are actuated moving the cutofl? knife guide blocks 62 andtherefore the cutoff knives 52 laterally inwardly toward the tubing 37and mandrel 25, that is, from the positions shown in FIG. 8 toward thepositions shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, since the tubing 37, clutch 51and cutoff knives 52 are moving axially or longitudinally with referenceto the stationary mandrel 25, as the cutoff knives 52 approach thetubing .37, these cutoff knives have reached at least the left-handedges, as viewed in FIG. 2, of the mandrel hardened inserts 116.

Finally, as the cutoff knives 52 continue their laterally inwardmovement, they ultimately reach the positions shown in FIG. 11 wherethese cutoff knives engage the tubing 37, severing this tubing, as shownin FIG. 5, and working against the hardened inserts 116. Thereafter, dueto the continuous rotation of the tubing 37 during its longitudinalmovement, the cutoff knives 52 eventually sever the tubing completelyaround its circumference, while these knives continue to work againstthe hardened inserts 116 along the longitudinal length thereof.

An important feature to keep in mind is the fact that during thissevering or cutoff operation by the cutoff knives 52 these cutoff knivesare moving exactly with the tubing 37, and both the tubing and cutoffknives are moving axially or longitudinally with reference to thestationary mandrel 25. In view of this exact constant axial orlongitudinal relationship between the cutoff knives 52 and the tubing37, the cut through the tubing and completely around the circumferencethereof made by the cutoff knives 52 is exactly perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the tubing, so that a clean proper outoff is madeof exact predetermined length.

Finally, as thecutoif knives 52 approach the end of the stationarymandrel 25, the complete severing of the tubing has taken place, asshown in FIG. 5, and the severed piece of tubing is immediately conveyedaway from the cutoff device 21 by usual conveying means, not shown.Furthermore, at this point the switch bar 113 has engaged the switches111 and 112, also as shown in FIG. 5, with switch 111 immediatelyactuating the cutoff knife fluid cylinders 64 causing the cutoff knives52 to be moved laterally away from the mandrel 25 to their retractedpositions, shown in FIG. 8. Also, switch 112 causes fluid to be directedinto the clutch cylinders 163 causing the piston rods to be extended,which moves actuating rings 73 and cam rings 74 to their mam'mum axiallyor longitudinally spread positions, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, so thatthe compression springs 90 between the clutch shoes 75 urge the clutchshoes to move apart circumferentially, thereby moving these clutch shoesradially outwardly to their disengaged positions, as shown in FIGS. 7and 8.

This releases clutch 51 from the axially or longitudinally moving tubing37 permitting the clutch to remain stationary longitudinally and thetubing to move freely through this clutch. Also, in View of the cutoffknives 52 being directly connected to clutch 51, these cutoff knivesremain stationary longitudinally while the tubing moves in referencethereto.

Immediately after the cutoff knives 52 have been retracted away fromtubing 37 and the clutch 51 has been released from its circumferentialgripping of the tubing 37, the fluid booster cylinder 74] is actuated toretract the piston rod 6% thereby moving the clutch 51 and cutoff knives52 longitudinally to the left to their beginning positions, shown inFIG. 4, while the tubing 37 continues to move longitudinally in theopposite direction.

Finally, the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52 reach their startingpositions, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the switch bar 115 engages theswitch 114, after which the clutch and cutoff knives remain in thisstarting position ready for the beginning of another cutoff cycle. Also,at this time, the leading end of the tubing 37 is just reaching thesighting line 117 of the photoelectric cell components 11% so that thisnext cutoff cycle will immediately commence.

The primary purpose of switch 114, which is held engaged by the switchbar 115 when the clutch 51 and cutoff knives 52 are in their startingpositions, is to insure that the clutch and cutoff knives return totheir full starting positions before the next cutoff cycle can start.This switch is properly connected in a usual manner into the electricalcircuit and hydraulic circuit, so that if it is not engaged the nextcutoflf cycle cannot begin, thereby insuring that the proper length oftubing will be cut off every time.

One of the more important features of the present in- 13 vention is thefact that the tubing 37 is constantly moving axially or longitudinallyand by engagement of the clutch 51 by the photoelectric cell components110 at a predetermined time, this clutch peripherally engages the tubingat a point spaced an exact predetermined distance from the leading endof the tubing, to thereby establish a direct and set reference point onthis moving tubing with relation to the leading end thereof andestablish a direct and set relationship between the cutoff knives 52which are directly connected to the clutch. Thus, in

.every cutofif cycle, an exact length of tubing 37 is establishedbetween the leading end of the tubing and the cutoff knives 52 asdetermined by the axial or longitudinal setting of the photoelectriccell components 110, so that these cutoff knives will move with thetubing and properly cut off this exact length.

A further feature of the present invention is that not only is thetubing 37 constantly moving axially or longitudinally during this cutoffoperation, but also since the tubing is being helically or spirallywound by the tube forming machine 26, the tubing is likewise constantlyrotating, so that clutch 51 must not only grip the tubing longitudinallybut also must be constructed to continue to permit this rotatablemovement. This is accomplished by the fact that the clutch shoes 75 andcam rings 74 are rotatable with respect to the clutch actuating rings 73despite the clutch being in engaged position. Furthermore, even thoughthe clutch shoes 75 must constantly rotate with the tubing 37, the setpositioning between clutch 51 and the cutoff knives 52 is maintained andinsured on every engagement of the clutch by these clutch shoes 75 beingmaintained in a predetermined centered position by the guide members 76,while still being permitted by these guide members to rotate and moveradially inwardly and outwardly.

Finally, another feature of the present invention is that although thetube forming machine mandrel 25 remains stationary at all times, in viewof the unique construction of clutch 51 for peripherally orcircumferentially gripping the axially or longitudinally moving tubing37, the rotatable and longitudinal movement of the tubing is not impededby the clutch, and the tubing continues to maintain its spiral motionwith reference to this stationary mandrel. Furthermore, although thecutofi knives 52 during their cutting operation continue to move axiallyor longitudinally in a direct set relationship to tubing 37 and areWorking against this stationary mandrel 25, the cutoff operation isproperly accomplished by having the surface on the mandrel 25 againstwhich the cutoff knives 52 work a sufiicient hardness, which isaccomplished in the present embodiment of the invention by the hardenedinserts 116.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been usedfor brevity,clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom, he-

cause such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and areintended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved tube forming machineconstruction illustrated and described herein is by way of example andthe scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact detailsof construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and useof a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and usefulresults obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonablemechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art areset forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Tube forming machine construction for continuously spirally formingthin walled tubing, an axially stationary mandrel upon which the tubingis formed and moves continuously rotatably and axially, said tubingbeing formed having a circumferential periphery, a cutoff device mountedin a position radially adjacent the rotatably and axially moving tubing,engagement means on the cutoff device including rotatable engagementmembers for peripherally physically engaging the tubing against themandrel at a predetermined axial location while the tubing continues tomove axially with respect to the mandrel, means mounting the engagementmeans for axial movement axially along the mandrel with the tubing whilethe tubing is engaged by said engagement means against the mandrel andthe engagement means engagement members and tubing continue to rotate,the engagement between the tubing and engagement means maintaining theaxial movement of the engagement means along the mandrel exactly withtheaxial movement of the tubing along the mandrel, severing means operablyconnected to the engagement means radially adjacent the mandrel andmounted movable axially exactly with the engagement means axially alongthe mandrel for severing the tubing against the mandrel while saidtubing continues to move axially along the mandrel, means for operatingthe engagement means to engage the tubing against the mandrel at a saidpredetermined axial location, and means for operating the severing meansfor severing the tubing against the mandrel after the engagement meanshas engaged the tubing against the mandrel and the engagement means andsevering means are moving axially exactly with the tubing along themandrel; the cutoff device engagement means including a clutch membercircumferentially surrounding the tubing and mandrel; the engagementmeans rotatable engagement members being clutch shoes mounted on theclutch member radially movable between engaged and disengaged positions,the clutch shoes have inner :arcuate surfaces engageable with the tubingperiphery and against the mandrel when the shoes are in engagedpositions, and the clutch shoes being mounted in the clutch memberfreely rotatable with the tubing at least in the engaged position.

2. Tube forming machine construction for continuously spirally formingthin walled tubing, an axially stationary mandrel upon which the tubingis formed and moves continuously rotatably and axially, said tubingbeing formed having a circumferential periphery, a cutoff device mountedin a position radially adjacent the rotatably and axially moving tubing,engagement means on the cutoff device including rotatable engagementmembersfor peripherally physically engaging the tubing against themandrel at a predetermined axial location while the tubing continues tomove axially with respect to the mandrel, means mounting the engagementmeans for axial movement axially along the mandrel with the tubing whilethe tubing is engaged by said engagement means against the mandrel andthe engagement means engagement members and tubing continue to rotate,the engagement between the tubing and engagement means maintaining theaxial movement of the engagement means along the mandrel exactly withthe axial movement of the tubing along the mandrel, severing meansopera-bly connected to the engagement means radially adjacent themandrel and mounted movable axially exactly with the engagement meansaxially along the mandrel for severing the tubing against the mandrelwhile said tubing continues to move axially along the mandrel, means foroperating the engagement means to engage the tubing against the mandrelat a said predetermined axial location, and means for operating thesevering means for severing the tubing against the mandrel after theengagement means has engaged the tubing against the mandrel and theengagement means and severing means are moving axially exactly with thetubing along the mandrel; the cutoff device engagement means including aclutch member circumferentially surrounding the tubing and mandrel; theengagement means rotatable engagement members being clutch shoes on theclutch member radially movable between engaged and disengaged positions,the clutch shoes having inner arcuate surfaces engageable with thetubing periphery and against the mandrel when the shoes are in engagedpositions, and the clutch shoes being mounted in the clutch memberrotatable at least in the engaged position; the severing means includingat least one circular cutoff knife mounted rotatable about an axis, thecutoff knife axis being movable radially inwardly to a fixed scanner 1 5circumferential position with relation to the mandrel while the cutoffknife moves axially with respect to the mandrel and with the cutoffknife severing tubing against the mandrel, and the rotation of thetubing acting to move the tubing against the rotatable cutoff knifecompletely around the circumference of the tubing to sever the tubingagainst the mandrel.

3. Tube forming machine construction including means for continuouslyspirally forming and moving thin walled tubing, an axially stationarymandrel upon which the tubing is formed and moves continuously rotatablyand axially, said tubing being formed having a circumferentialperiphery, a cutoff device mounted in a position radially adjacent therotatably and axially moving tubing, engagement means on the cutoffdevice including rotatable engagement members for peripherallyphysically engaging the tubing at a selected predetermined axiallocation during any selected period of axial movement of the tubingwhile the tubing continuous to move axially relative to the mandrel,means mounting the engagement means for being positively initially freeof axial movement in the direction of the tubing movement until engagedwith said tubing and for axial movement axially along the mandrel withthe tubing while the tubing is engaged by said engagement means againstthe mandrel and the engagement means engagement members and tubingcontinue to rotate, the engagement between the tubing and engagementmeans physically securing the engagement means axially movable exactlywith the tubing and maintaining the axial movement of the engagementmeans along the mandrel exactly with the axial movement of the tubingalong the mandrel, severing means operably connected to the engagementmeans radially adjacent the mandrel and mounted movable axially exactlywith the engagement means axially along the mandrel for severing thetubing against the mandrel at an exact axial location on the tubing withreference to said predetermined axial location while said tubingcontinues to move axially along the mandrel, means regulated bypredetermined tubing movement for operating the engagement means toengage the tubing against the mandrel at said selected predeterminedaxial location, the engagement means and severing means beingindependent of and free of any operable connection with the means forcontinuously spirally forming and moving the tubing so that thepredetermined axial location on the tubing may be selected independentof and without regard to any operation of said means for continuouslyspirally forming and moving the tubing and during any period ofcontinuous axial movement of the tubing, and means for operating thesevering means for severing tubing against the mandrel after theengagement means has engaged the tubing against the mandrel and theengagement means and severing means are moving axially exactly with thetubing along the mandrel.

4. Tube forming machine construction as defined in claim 3 in which thesevering means includes at least one circular cutoff knife mountedrotatable about an axis; in which the cutoff knife axis is movableradially inwardly to a fixed circumferential position with relation tothe mandrel while the cutoff knife moves axially with respect to themandrel and with the cutoff knife severing the tubing against themandrel; and in which the rotation of the tubing acts to move the tubingagainst the rotatable cutofi knife completely around the circumferenceof the tubing to sever the tubing against the mandrel.

5. Tube forming machine construction as defined in claim 3 in which themeans mounting the engagement means includes booster means operablyconnected to the engagement means effective when the engagement means isperipherally engaged with the tubing against the mandrel for supplyingat least a portion of the force required to move the engagement meansand severing means axially exactly with the tubing and with respect tothe mandrel.

6. Tube forming machine construction as defined in claim 3 in which themeans mounting the engagement means includes an axially movablecarriage; in which the engagement means carriage moves axially parallelto the axis of the mandrel; in which the severing means is mounted onthe engagement means carriage in fixed axial relationship to theengagement means; and in which booster means is operably connected tothe engagement means carriage effective When the engagement means isperipherally engaged with the tubing against the mandrel for supplyingat least a portion of the force required to move the engagement meanscarriage axially exactly with the tubing and with respect to themandrel.

7. Tube forming machine construction including means for continuouslyforming and continuously longitudinally moving thin walled tubing, alongitudinally stationary mandrel upon which the tubing is formed andmoves continuously longitudinally, said tubing being formed having aperiphery and a leading end, a cutoff device mounted in a positionlaterally adjacent the longitudinally moving tubing and laterallyadjacent the mandrel, engagement means on the cutoff device forphysically peripherally engaging the tubing at a selected predeterminedlongitudinal location during any selected period of longitudinalmovement of the tubing and against the longitudinally stationary mandrelwhile the tubing continues to move longitudinally relative to themandrel, means mounting the engagement means for being positivelyinitially free of longitudinal movement in the direction of the tubingmovement until engaged with said tubing and for longitudinal movementwith the tubing while the tubing is engaged by said engagement means,the engagement between the tubing and engagement means physicallysecuring the engagement means longitudinally movable exactly with thetubing and maintaining the longitudinal movement of the engagement meansexactly with the longitudinal movement of the tubing, severing meansoperably connected to the engagement means laterally adjacent themandrel and mounted movable longitudinally exactly with the engagementmeans longitudinally along the mandrel for severing the tubing againstthe mandrel at an exact longitudinal location on the tubing withreference to said predetermined longitudinal location while said tubingcontinues to move longitudinally, means regulated by predeterminedtubing movement for operating the engagement means to engage the tubingagainst the mandrel at said selected predetermined longitudinallocation, said means for operating the engagement means including anelectronic sighting device positioned in a selected predetermined exactlongitudinal location with respect to the engagement means and severingmeans and actionable by the tubing leading end moving longitudinallypast a selected predetermined exact longitudinal location, theengagement means and severing means being independent of and free of anyoperable connection with the means for continuously forming andcontinuously longitudinally moving the tubing so that the predeterminedlongitudinal location on the tubing may be selected independent of andWithout regard to any operation of said means for continuously formingand continuously longitudinally moving the tubing and during any periodof the continuous longitudinal movement of the tubing, and means foroperating the severing means for severing the tubing against the mandrelafter the engagement means has engaged the tubing against the mandreland the engagement means and severing means are moving longitudinallyexactly with the tubing along the mandrel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,814,697 Hollman July 14, 1931 2,366,243 Edwards Jan. 2, 1945 2,521,007Heinmets Sept. 5, 1950 2,623,443 Robinson Dec. 30, 1952 2,675,076Billetter Apr. 13, 1954 2,699,099 Robinson Jan. 11, 1955 2,973,698Orlando Mar. 7, 1961

